Roar to go on attack in search of victory

by jspasaro

Josh Spasaro
Sports Journalist

I spent four years in country newspapers before taking on a dream role of covering national and international sports news across the entire APN network, in early 2012.
I learnt my trade in Kingaroy, Queanbeyan and Lismore doing it all – design, photography and headline writing.
I am now the envy of all my friends and family members, now that I have the privilege of covering Origin, Bledisloe Cups, footy grand finals and other top international sporting events.
Yes, I wouldn’t trade this job for...

THOMAS Broich says the Brisbane Roar has a simple strategy ahead of tonight's A-League blockbuster against the Victory in Melbourne - if they don't have the ball they can't score.

"We've out-possessed every team in the league, and if we do that, they can't score," Broich said.

"We want to always play attacking football, which is possession-based.

"It bears fruit too, and it's good to see when it bears results."

That didn't quite happen last week when the Roar was held to a 0-0 draw against the Phoenix in Wellington.

Brisbane was without its two premier attackers in that game - Jamie Maclaren and Brandon Borello - with "super subs" Henrique and Jean Carlos Solorzano unable to make an impact after being given a rare start.

Despite that, Broich said he was confident they could turn that around against the Victory.

The German has endured his own goal drought this season, but has been a constant threat with the ball.

He has come under heavy attention from opposition defences, and can expect no favours from the Victory defence tonight, although Roar coach John Aloisi played down talk Broich was often targeted by opposition defenders.

"If you look at our stats, he's one of the highest players to have the ball, in terms of being high up the pitch, in the league," Aloisi said.

"That's probably why it looks like he's targeted.

"But I don't think he's targeted that much - it's just Thomas beating players, and they can't get the ball off him."

Another player who will be heavily scrutinised is Victory striker Besart Berisha, Aloisi saying Roar defenders Jade North and Daniel Bowles would need to be on guard.

The former Roar championship-winner has 10 goals this season, two behind the competition leader, Melbourne City's Bruno Fornaroli.

"Bes is one of the best strikers in the A-League, he's in good form," Aloisi said.

"It'll be a good test for Jade and Bowlesy."

The Victory, which has slipped to fifth on the ladder, has won its past three A-League matches against the Roar, its last defeat coming in the 2013/14 playoffs.

George Howard, Joey Katebian and Stefan Nigro have been promoted to the Victory's 18-man squad, while goalkeeper Michael Theo and defender Luke DeVere are both back from injuries in the Roar's squad. Devante Clut has also been promoted.